CO2 Transport

Pipeline infrastructure, Alaska, USA. Image courtesy of BP

Captured CO2 has to be compressed and transported, most likely by pipeline, to a site suitable for storage. Ships may be viable for CO2 transportation over long distances. Even if a suitable storage site lies directly beneath the source of capture, the captured CO2 will have to be compressed and pumped underground. Pipelining of gases and liquids is widespread throughout the world, and includes millions of tonnes of CO2 that are transported each year for use in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations and in emerging CCS projects. Pipeline infrastructure can be costly, but heavy industries are often ‘clustered’ together which allow CO2 pipeline networks to be shared. Visit the CCS Browser for more information on how CO2 is transported.